Originally based in Perth, Western Australia, 'Illyria' was founded by Ilija Stajić in late 2013 whilst travelling in Europe looking for a new, refreshing sound to compose and bring back to the Southern hemisphere.
Inspired by fellow contemporaries Alcest, Deafheaven, Lantlôs and Les Discrets, Illyria's goal is to captivate on the gracious melodies and pulsating rhythms of the hybrid genre whilst promoting the accessibility of the genre to new listeners around the world. Over the years the five-piece act have earnt several opportunities supporting international bands such as Cattle Decapitation, Alcest and Wolves In The Throne Room along with national acts such as Ne Obliviscaris, Polaris and Make Them Suffer.
Illyria incorporated traditional post-black metal conventions and more into their 2016 self-titled debut album, which is generally regarded highly by global press and fans alike. Illyria released their sophomore album “The Carpathian Summit” in 2019. The album retains Illyria’s identifiable style, but with more progressive elements. The second full-length was well received by local and global audiences allowing the band to reach over 250,000 streams with supported singles ‘Kenopsia’ and ‘Wilderness’ leading the front.
After an intense pandemic period in 2020, the band released a new single "Frostbite" which has amassed over 100,000 streams across all platforms. In 2021, Stajić had relocated to Humpty Doo, Northern Territory due to work and family commitments. The band was restructured as a solo-project again which saw all Perth-based members moving on. "In The Arms Of Persephone" was released in February 2022 to celebrate the 'end of an era' as a band as well as to brace listeners for Illyria's future musical endeavours.
The band's third full-length "Take Me Somewhere Beautiful" released on the 7th October 2022. It was a bold move steering away from beginnings with less influence from black metal territory and solely embracing post-hardcore & punk influences. With Stajić moving back to his home state in Western Australia, Illyria has forged a new line-up reuniting with Avila on rhythm guitar, Harry Prosser on lead guitar, Jeffrey Anderson playing bass and Cam Stone-Griffin with percussion duties.
2024 brought upon the world the band’s fourth full-length record, “Wanderlust”, which lives up to its name containing eight intertwining tracks that journey across vast spectrums of extreme metal genres. The haunting feelings of exile and isolation are all too familiar for the Perth-based act and there is no better way to face it, than to embrace it. Wanderlust is a test of willpower for the exiled, the unspoken and the fearful silent to maintain their belief for a time that will come when the elements shall prevail and inherit the Earth once and for all.
At just shy of 45 minutes in length, the piercing shrieks and thunderous growls are contrasted by soaring melodic harmonies that the band have stylised throughout the past decade. Wanderlust is a reality check for all listeners to brace for the next cycle that humanity will encounter. Will you succumb to the slow, decaying death of the modern world, or fight to survive and celebrate the rebirth of a new age? The choice is yours.
